Back Pain in Grand Rapids

Back pain in Grand Rapids is all too common. Most individuals will suffer from some type of back pain at some point or another. In fact, research shows that over 30 million individuals are dealing with back pain right now and that 4 out of 5 individuals will deal with back pain in the future. With these astonishing figures, it’s easy to see how back pain is the primary reason Americans become disabled. These numbers should be enough to motivate anyone to learn more about how back pain develops, how to stop it from developing, and the best remedies for recovery. Our Kaminski Chiropractic PLLC chiropractors have put together the following information to help you find relief from your back pain in Grand Rapids or avoid it altogether.

Back Pain Treatments in Grand Rapids

With the myriad of ways it is possible to suffer from back pain, including trauma, diseases, and misalignments, it can appear impossible to avoid. The back is an incredibly versatile frame that is able to simultaneously protect the body from damage while allowing smooth motion. The components of the back such as muscles, bones, and ligaments, can sometimes be inflamed or impaired leading to back pain. For some individuals, their back pain is the result of an auto injury while for others it is small habits, such as poor posture, that can be the culprit for their back pain. As a result, it can sometimes be impossible to pinpoint the exact cause of back pain for any one person.

Moreover, all these sources of back pain ignore the alternative ways it can develop. These include poor health, arthritis, and digestive issues. With the seemingly infinite number of ways an individual can be affected by back pain, it takes an experienced doctor to diagnose and treat the underlying issue. Luckily, our chiropractic office in Grand Rapids has the training and experience to help treat your back pain effectively. Kaminski Chiropractic PLLC has the ability to diagnose and treat your back pain to prevent it from becoming a lifetime ailment.

Disc Bulges or Herniations

A common reason back pain develops is because of a herniation or bulging disc. The key piece of information to understand, however, is that not all bulging discs or herniations manifest themselves as back pain. Research has found that over a third of American have a bulging disc or herniation and that the overwhelming majority report no symptoms. On the other hand, the minority who do experience symptoms report extreme discomfort.

The kind of discomfort that a herniation produces is determined by the location and kind of herniation. If the injured disc is jutting upon a nearby nerve, numbness, and tingling throughout the extremities may be felt. This pain is usually felt as quick and stab-like. The best way to comprehend the nature of a disc herniation is to think of them as a donut filled with jelly. If the fringes of the donuts deteriorate, usually due to repeated use and old age, the jelly within the disc can begin to leak. Depending on the extent of the damage to the disc, the effects may be able to be alleviated. Relieving the pain linked to herniations can be difficult but chiropractic care can help.

Subluxations

Subluxation is a medical term describing a misalignment in the vertebral column. There are a wide variety of causes, including physical stress, trauma and toxins. Subluxations are often quite painful and can disrupt normal movement. Subluxations are one of the most commonly overlooked contributors to back pain. Chiropractors are trained to identify and correct this issue using non-invasive adjustment techniques.

Tendon or Ligament Strains and Muscular Sprains

Sprains and strains can affect just about anyone but they are most commonly affect individuals who participate in activities that their bodies are not used to. For instance, an individual who decides to sprint a mile on a whim without having so much as jogged in the past couple of months is more than likely to sustain some discomfort and even injury. Sprains that affect ligaments usually are a result of pushing ligaments to their limit - creating micro and at times complete tears. Strains on a muscular level are usually a result of picking up objects well past weights one is accustomed to lifting. These strains are magnified by using poor form and can significantly injure the back. Both sprains and strains are inextricably linked to the spinal region and consequently benefit greatly from chiropractic care. Our chiropractic team is well prepared to provide the care necessary to rehabilitate individuals and heal from these significant injuries.

Back Pain and Stress

Individuals who suffer from stress regularly possess a different physical makeup than individuals who do not deal with stress routinely. When an individual in dealing with significant stress, their body releases hormones to better manage the position they are in. A few of these physiological adaptations are an increased heart rate, heightened blood pressure, cortisol release, and more. This kind of physiological response is effective in short bursts, however, for those who deal with stress regularly can suffer from significant health issues. The diseases that can manifest from regular stress are heart disease, obesity, and back pain. Fortunately, stress can often be found in the form of “trigger points” across the back. The health team at Kaminski Chiropractic PLLC is experienced at pinpointing and treating these trigger points.

When chiropractors treat back pain, they focus on the root of the issue instead of just dealing with the symptoms. The chiropractic team in Grand Rapids can help treat your back pain using this successful approach. It is imperative to seek chiropractic care that works. If you are dealing with back pain or want further information, don’t hesitate to contact Kaminski Chiropractic PLLC in Grand Rapids for your free consultation.

Other Issues that Cause Back Pain

Conditions such as obesity, arthritis, kidney stones, and urinary tract infections have been shown to cause symptoms of low back pain. These are all serious issues that need to be identified and treated immediately to avoid long-term health issues. Grand Rapids Chiropractic doctors are trained to identify these issues and support you to get the appropriate treatment. Many of these issues can have their source in spinal misalignments and respond well to chiropractic adjustments.

Region Description and Overview

The technical term for the lower back is the lumbar spine. It consists of 5 vertebrae (spinal bones) as well as the closely associated Sacrum and Iliac/Pelvic bones. These vertebrae are labelled using the letter L and the number of the vertebrae (example L3 is the third lumbar). The normal curvature of the cervical spine is a lordosis, just like the neck. An example is shown in the photo gallery below. The lumbar spine is responsible for the majority of trunk flexion and extension (bending forward and leaning back). The intervertebral discs are the largest in the lumbar spine.

Most Common Causes

The most common cause of low back pain is subluxation. A subluxation is the posterior misalignment of a vertebrae that is pinching or interfering with a nerve. This can be the result of a sudden trauma (hard fall, car accident, etc.), repetitive use injury (heavy lifting, repetitive motion, etc.), sports injury, or normal day-to-day wear and tear. The disc can also be involved which complicates the issue as well as the possibility of adding symptoms and increase discomfort.

Associated Symptoms and Conditions

Lumbar sprain/strain

Facet syndrome

Sciatica

Spondylolisthesis

Disc herniation

Stenosis

Degenerative Disc Disease

Referred pain into the Mid Back

Buttock/Glut Pain

Leg Pain/Numbness/Tingling/Weakness

Hip/Knee/Ankle/Foot Pain

Menstrual Issues / Erectile Dysfunction

Digestive Issues

Bowel/Bladder Issues

Complications

Leaving low back issues untreated could result in complications including but not limited to:

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